How much does it cost to keep a dog in 2026? Vet, vaccinations, groomer and boarding

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

A basic vet appointment in Poland most often costs PLN 80, while a rabies vaccination for a dog costs around PLN 79. The largest one-off expenses are a puppy vaccination course (PLN 400) and neutering or spaying (from PLN 450 for a male dog to PLN 710 for a female dog).

Much of the cost of keeping a dog comes from bills that are not apparent on the day of adoption: vaccinations, procedures, grooming and care while you are away. Below, we have compiled prices for veterinary and care services from the price lists of veterinary practices, groomers and pet boarding facilities. We do not include food and accessories because these prices are not covered by our index, and they vary mainly according to the dog’s size and the brand chosen.

How much does veterinary care for a dog cost?

A basic appointment, meaning a consultation and general examination, has a median price of PLN 80. The full range is wide: from PLN 20 at the cheapest practices to PLN 300 at clinics in major cities. In Warsaw, Kraków or Wrocław, it usually costs around PLN 145, compared with around PLN 85 in smaller towns and cities. A follow-up appointment costs around PLN 115.

The appointment price does not include additional tests, such as blood tests, X-rays or ultrasound scans, or surcharges for night-time, weekend or home visits. These are what increase the bill when a dog is ill. A healthy adult dog usually needs one or two appointments a year for vaccinations and a check-up.

How much do vaccinations for dogs and puppies cost?

The first year is the most expensive. A full course of combination vaccinations for a puppy, spread over several appointments, usually costs PLN 400, with a typical range of PLN 350 ‑ 450. The difference between offers mainly depends on whether the package includes an examination, worming and microchipping.

Adult dogs must receive an annual rabies vaccination, which is compulsory in Poland. One dose usually costs PLN 79 (typically PLN 77 ‑ 84). Combination vaccines against other infectious diseases are more expensive. Ask your vet whether they are needed and when they should be given.

There is also dog worming: one dose of a worming treatment costs around PLN 38. Worming every three months comes to around PLN 150 a year. One-off microchipping a dog usually costs PLN 145.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

How much does it cost to neuter a male dog or spay a female dog?

This is a one-off but substantial expense. Neutering a male dog usually costs PLN 450 (typically PLN 415 ‑ 565). The median cost of spaying a female dog is PLN 710, with a typical range of PLN 515 ‑ 815, because the procedure for a female is longer and more complex. In both cases, the price rises with the dog’s weight: a large dog requires more anaesthetic and a longer operation. Less invasive laparoscopic spaying costs around PLN 1,950.

Pre-operative blood tests, painkillers and a follow-up appointment are often charged separately. Ask the veterinary practice exactly what the quoted amount includes. It is also worth checking with the municipality (gmina) office whether it runs a subsidy programme for neutering and spaying owned dogs, as several large cities offer these periodically.

How much do dog clipping and grooming cost?

The median price of a groomer appointment is PLN 105, with a typical range of PLN 78 ‑ 120. The price depends on the dog’s size, the length and type of its coat, and the scope of the service. Clipping alone is cheaper than full grooming with a bath, nail clipping and ear cleaning. If the breed requires clipping every three months, the annual cost is around PLN 420. Short-haired dogs can often go without a groomer all year, so this expense depends heavily on the breed chosen.

How much does dog boarding cost during a holiday?

A night at a dog boarding facility usually costs 105 PLN/day. A week’s holiday costs around PLN 740, while two weeks cost around PLN 1,500. A higher standard or care for an anxious dog or one requiring medication costs around 180 PLN/day per night. Our boarding prices come from a limited number of sources, so it is worth checking local offers and asking whether walks and administering medication are included.

How much do a dog behaviourist and training cost?

A specialist can help when a dog pulls on the lead, damages the home when left alone or behaves aggressively. An hour-long behavioural consultation usually costs 200 PLN/hour, while an initial consultation including an assessment of the problem costs around PLN 225. An online consultation is cheaper, at around 150 PLN/hour.

A group course is usually sufficient for teaching basic obedience. An individual dog training lesson costs around PLN 160 per session, while a group course comprising several sessions costs around PLN 1,100. A well-trained puppy often means fewer problems and lower costs in later years.

Which dog-related expenses arise unexpectedly?

It is worth allowing some leeway in your dog budget because some costs are difficult to predict. A dog injured during a walk may need its wound stitched. A simple procedure usually costs around PLN 120, but for a deep wound requiring general anaesthesia, the bill can reach as much as PLN 1,000. Night-time and public holiday appointments cost considerably more than a standard consultation.

Towards the end of a dog’s life, there are also expenses that can be difficult to think about. Individual dog cremation with the ashes returned usually costs PLN 700, while communal cremation without the return of ashes costs around PLN 450.

Dog or cat: which costs less?

Veterinary services are clearly cheaper for cats. A cat vaccination usually costs PLN 63, neutering a male cat around PLN 200, and spaying a female cat around PLN 325. The equivalent procedures for dogs cost PLN 450 and PLN 710, as dogs are larger and need more medication. Cats do not usually need a groomer or boarding facility, as someone visiting them at home is generally sufficient.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

How can you reduce the cost of keeping a dog?

• Prevention is cheaper than treatment. Regular vaccinations and worming cost a fraction of treating the diseases they prevent.
• Ask about packages. Veterinary practices often combine puppy vaccinations, worming and microchipping in a single price.
• Check municipal programmes. Subsidised neutering and spaying, as well as free microchipping, can reduce first-year costs.
• Arrange holiday care early. Good boarding facilities quickly run out of spaces during peak season.

The information in this article is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Decisions about vaccinations, procedures and treatment should be made together with your vet. Prices come from public price lists published by veterinary practices, groomers and pet boarding facilities, as well as guides. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the relevant service page, for example how much does a vet appointment cost.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a vet appointment for a dog cost?

Podstawowa konsultacja z badaniem ogólnym to mediana PLN 80, typowo PLN 58 ‑ 120. W dużych miastach bliżej PLN 145, w mniejszych około PLN 85.

How much do puppy vaccinations cost?

Pełny cykl szczepień szczeniaka, czyli kilka wizyt w pierwszych miesiącach życia, kosztuje zwykle PLN 400 (typowo PLN 350 ‑ 450). Pojedyncza dawka poza cyklem to około PLN 125.

How much does it cost to neuter a male dog or spay a female dog?

Kastracja psa to mediana PLN 450, sterylizacja suki PLN 710. U suki zabieg jest bardziej złożony, a cena rośnie z wagą; metoda laparoskopowa kosztuje około PLN 1,950.

How much does dog boarding cost?

Doba w hotelu dla psa kosztuje zwykle 105 PLN/day. Tydzień to około PLN 740, a hotel o wyższym standardzie albo opieka nad psem wymagającym leków to około 180 PLN/day.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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